Food safety experts warn against storing perishables in refrigerator doors

Storing perishable items like milk, eggs, and yogurt in refrigerator door compartments is not ideal for food safety due to temperature fluctuations. The door is the warmest part of the refrigerator and is subject to frequent temperature changes every time the unit is opened.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends maintaining refrigerator temperatures at 4°C (39°F) or lower to limit bacterial growth and advises against storing eggs in the door. Experts, including Associate Professor Nguyen Duy Thinh from Hanoi University of Science and Technology, note that these temperature swings can create conditions conducive to bacterial proliferation and increase the risk of food poisoning.

To ensure better preservation, highly perishable items such as milk, meat, fish, and seafood should be placed in the deeper, more stable temperature zones of the refrigerator. Eggs should ideally be kept in their original containers and stored inside the main compartments rather than in door trays to avoid temperature instability and physical damage.